While the Roadrunners boys basketball team has collected 10 wins this season, all in tournament action, they are still searching for their first regular season victory after falling at home to Chinle on Dec. 12 with a score of 64-53.
Playing in front of an unusual non-capacity crowd, the Birds and Wildcats thrilled those watching in the first period with end-to-end action culminating in a Holbrook 24-20 cushion after the first eight minutes. Kobi Koerperich nailed a pair of treys and Freddie scored five in the paint to pace the Holbrook attack. Both teams came up for air in the second with each netting just 10. Terrence Kelly, Emerson Begay, Tynen Thomas, Freddie and Jaren Jackson each had two points allowing Holbrook to maintain their edge at 30-20 at the break.
The turning point in the game may have been the third where Holbrook went cold from the field while the Wildcats poured in 17 points to hold a 47-42 lead heading to the final stanza. In the fourth, the visitors again netted 17, while Holbrook managed just 11 leaving the Birds with a 64-53 defeat.
Holbrook was led in scoring by Koerperich with 13. Eric Baldonado added 10; Freddie, 9; Tyrell Nelson, 7; Kelly, 6; and Jared Woody, Begay, Thomas and Jackson each netted two. Holbrook went 10 for 14 at the charity stripe and knocked down five three-point shots.
Chinle was led by Angelo Lewis with 21. Elijah James also scored in double figures with 10. The Wildcats went to the line 31 times, making good on 21 of those attempts. They hit just one three-point field goal.
With the loss Holbrook falls to 0-3 in regular season games and moves their overall season mark to 10-4. After hosting Blue Ridge on Friday night, they will play their final game prior to the holiday break tonight (Wednesday, Dec. 20) at Monument Valley.
